Elton John AIDS Foundation and Zipline Secure Major U.S. Funding to Expand Drone-Enabled HIV Care

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is highlighting the impact of Zipline’s newly awarded $150 million from the U.S. State Department, which will enable the tripling of Zipline’s drone delivery network across Africa. The funding is tied to a pay-for-performance model that reflects how early philanthropic investment laid the groundwork for broader governmental support. EJAF was among Zipline’s first partners during its entry into Kenya in 2023, helping establish proof of concept for drone-enabled HIV testing, prevention, and treatment delivery in hard-to-reach communities.

Rwanda is expected to be the first country to scale under the new model. The expanded network could reach up to 15,000 health facilities across the continent, serving as many as 100 million people. Since the collaboration began, EJAF-backed programs in Kenya and Nigeria have reached 125,000 people with HIV interventions, delivered 86,000 antiretrovirals, and provided prevention tools and testing among adolescents and young adults.

Elton John stated that “Zipline's innovative approach to delivering medical care is exactly the kind of work our Foundation exists to champion. We were their first philanthropic partner in Kenya and have helped them build a network there - and in other countries across Africa - that ensures people living with HIV get access to the treatment they need every single day.” He emphasized that reaching people where they live shows what is possible when technology supports equitable care.

David Furnish, Chair of EJAF, noted that stigma remains a barrier for many young people. He said, “For someone like 24-year-old Charles Atieno, our partnership with Zipline is a lifeline,” adding that early philanthropic support helped generate evidence that led to larger government commitments.

Zipline’s model is also contributing to broader health system improvements, with independent studies showing reductions in stockouts and maternal mortality. Anne Aslett, CEO of EJAF, said the initial investment has “evolved into a self-sustaining system that will outlast any single grant,” framing the collaboration as a long-term solution for expanding access.

Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline Africa, highlighted that EJAF backed a “simple but radical idea: bring HIV medicines to where people are instead of making them come to you,” while Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo Clifton said, “Imagine ending HIV transmission in a continent. We now have the tools to do it.”

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